2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[Velo]

Quentin Johnston ran a 4.46 at the same size as Odunze. He also had trouble gaining separation. Granted Odunze's hands are much, much better, but is Johnston with good hand worth the #5 pick? I don't think so. That's just me though.

I don't think getting separation was QJ's problem, it was catching the ball.

[Javia]

I don't think getting separation was QJ's problem, it was catching the ball.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/2023/12/05/chargers-quentin-johnston-dropped-passes-separation/&ved=2ahUKEwjN2dvt6taEAxWvGtAFHau7DtUQFnoECBkQA Q&u sg=AOvVaw0YydkrJQB24K3G59EPiTin

Unfortunately Johnston has trouble with both.

[charger1_sj]

I disagree. Roman will run the ball more... that is a given.
Besides, you can't get Nabers or Odunze the ball if Maxx Crosby is sitting on top of Herbie's chest.
The passing game will run through Keenan... as it always does. The big difference will be more play-action.
But you can't even get to play action if you can't run the ball.
Do I want improvement at the IOL positions... yes. Just because you take an OT in the 1st, it doesn't mean you can't take a center in the 2nd. We've already spent a 1st rounder @LG. We've already spent a 1st rounder @WR. I'd concentrate on letting the coaching staff improve their play before I went out and spent @those positions again. By all accounts, Harbaugh likes both Zion and QJ.

Salyer has played exactly 2 games @RT in his college/professional career. I have way more faith that Alt can handle RT than Salyer. You could probably get another OG in the 3rd or 4th round (move Salyer to RT)... but both are a huge risk... and you've still spent 2 draft picks. Pretty risky.

If you want to run the ball then better get OGs and blocking TE, not a RT. Pipkins has trouble with elite edge rushers. Guess what so do 90 percent of other RTs in the NFL.
That's why you need a TE to help out in those situations. And by the way we had trouble converting on 3rd downs in critical situations where the other team blitzed. We failed
to pick up the blitzing safety. That's a problem with Herbert and coaching, not realizing pre-snap where the pressure is coming from and adjusting. And you know what it came
mostly from the left side, not the right.

[Fleet 1]

Rome looks so easy smooth out there. I really think that type of confidence is what it takes to build a connection with Herbert. That just feels like a good charger fit. Still all over Bowers/Odnuze/Nabers - OL with a move back...unless those guys are still there.

[charger1_sj]

^ This...and THAT'S why O-line is so important...not to mention keeping Herbie healthy...PROTECT THE FRANCHISE!!!

Nonsense. That's why you run the ball. We had trouble because we got into 3rd and passing situations way too much. Run the ball
and you stay away from freeing up the edge rushers to get to your QB on obvious passing downs. Plus if you got a guy like Nabors that
can get open at the snap of a finger you keep from having Herbert holding the ball for 6 seconds.

[Leslie Grossman]

Agreed Fleet, With Turner, Verse, and Mitchell blowing up I would be good with a trade down as far as 11.
With McCarthy rising it has to be considered possible.

[Velo]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/2023/12/05/chargers-quentin-johnston-dropped-passes-separation/&ved=2ahUKEwjN2dvt6taEAxWvGtAFHau7DtUQFnoECBkQA Q&u sg=AOvVaw0YydkrJQB24K3G59EPiTin

Unfortunately Johnston has trouble with both.

Ugh. I though QJ was generally getting separation, but either was not where Herbert expected him to be or Herbert just didn't trust him not to drop the ball. I think he is capable of separation, his head seemed to be not into his play last season. He needs to improve his route running greatly. I don't know if he will improve with experience or if he's just not quite cut out for the NFL. IMO, it's 50-50 at this point. Hopefully he scores 10 TDs in his soph season, like Mike Williams did after a disappointing rookie year.

[charger1_sj]

Yeah, I know... I was responding to someone who suggested Salyer @RT. That's risky IMO.
Alt is a consensus Top-10 prospect... and there are plenty of examples of college LT's converting to RT.

Linsley's illness forces a pick @center (probably 2nd round) regardless of who the 1st round pick.
If we're picking an OG in the 4th (your plan) then we're picking two picks in top-150 anyways.
Protect Salyer @RG (with a better RT) and see if he improves with better coaching/scheme.

The OL has to get better. It's kind of strange that people are already giving up on Zion and Salyer.
Meanwhile, Pipkins has had 5 years to get better. He couldn't even beat out Storm Norton (in his 3rd year no less).

Let Pipkins play swing tackle (nothing wrong with depth)... then save yourself some 2025 cap and cut him after 2024. That $6.75m could be better spent in 2025.

Sayler moved to LT at Geogia and played plenty of games there, not just two as been mentioned. In fact he played LT for us while Slater was out, and did a good
job. Sayler at OG for us, not so good. Salyer was a top 50 O line guy at Georgia while playing OT, not OG. He was brought in as an OG, but switched to LT and
excelled there.

[BigBad]

[CanadianBoltFan]

Rome looks so easy smooth out there. I really think that type of confidence is what it takes to build a connection with Herbert. That just feels like a good charger fit. Still all over Bowers/Odnuze/Nabers - OL with a move back...unless those guys are still there.

Exactly for me too...One of those 3 or trade down

[CanadianBoltFan]

Interesting

Great example of playing speed vs 40 where he ran in the 4.6 's

[BigBad]

Interesting

Great example of playing speed vs 40 where he ran in the 4.6 's

And guess who had the best time at this last year...Puka